Grant Writing & Funding

Vu Le of Nonprofit AF discusses grant writing challengesI met Vu Le at the Grant Writing Professionals conference in D.C. We talked after his wonderful keynote. I love his fresh outlook on the grant process and progressive nonprofits!About Vu LeVu Le (“voo lay”) is a writer, speaker, vegan, Pisces, and the former Executive Director of RVC, a nonprofit in Seattle that promotes social justice by developing leaders of color, strengthening organizations led by communities of color, and fostering collaboration between diverse communities.Vu’s passion to make the world better, combined with a low score on the Law School Admission Test, drove him into the field of nonprofit work, where he learned that we should take the work seriously, but not ourselves. There’s tons of humor in the nonprofit world, and someone needs to document it. He is going to do that, with the hope that one day, a TV producer will see how cool and interesting our field is and make a show about nonprofit work, featuring attractive actors attending strategic planning meetings and filing 990 tax forms.Known for his no-BS approach, irreverent sense of humor, and love of unicorns, Vu has been featured in dozens, if not hundreds, of his own blog posts at NonprofitAF.com, formerly nonprofitwithballs.com.Connect with Vu:Website: https://nonprofitaf.com/Nonprofit: https://rvcseattle.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonprofitAF/Twitter: twitter.com/NonprofitAFOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

I’m going to walk you through the outline of how to write a grant in 15 minutes. For some of you, this will be a reminder. But my goal is that you walk away from this podcast having learned at least one new thing!I’ve had different grant writing courses on various platforms, I teach it in universities, and I have even written a book on grant writing, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing: Tips, Tools, & Templates to Write Winning Grants which hit #1 in 10 categories on Amazon. Thanks to all of you who are on my Advanced Reader Team!But my goal today is to give you a basic bootcamp on grants so you can either refresh your memory, or find out if you are truly interested in grant writing.So, let’s get to it! I am going to use the basis of my G.R.A.N.T.S. Formula to really showcase the grant process. I do have more podcasts that go into depth for each of these categories, but once again this week’s goal is to give you all the candy in one bite and still be able to chew it.G: Get the FOA. For any type of grant you want to make sure that you gather the Funding Opportunity Announcement or Request for Proposal or the application. Read it so you are sure that:You meet the eligibility — i.e. Maybe you have to be an IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit to be eligible, but you’re still only thinking about forming a nonprofit. In this case you aren’t eligible.You know what the funding priorities are — If the funding source is focused on giving money out for projects that preserve marine life and you have a financial literacy project, then that isn’t aligned with the priority.There is enough money to meet your project — Don’t think that $5,000 is going to fund your need for $750,000. However, it could fund a part of it.You can meet the deadline — If it’s in a week and you haven’t started you may think of preparing better for the next cycle.You understand the application process and scoring criteria — What you actually need to write and include.R: Research the Needs & Target PopulationDo the research. It is not enough that there is a ‘need’ for the project. How do you know there is a need? Include actual statistics, data, testimonials, surveys, focus group information, or other resources to actually cite the need. Once you have this data, then come up with very clear problems, such as “According to the Cool Census in 2019, 54% of the indigenous people compared to only 21% of Caucasians live below the national poverty threshold in Cool City.” This creates a stronger argument than “A lot of indigenous people are poor in Cool City.”Additionally, who are you serving? If you say, “We are going to serve people in Cool City,” that is not very clear. It is much more clear if you show your niche target population: “The Project will serve Indigenous people below the poverty level in Cool City.” A: Articulate the GoalA goal is essential in a grant. Remember this is your big audacious outcome. You are reaching to achieve this! Think of it as being the outcome after implementation and funding. What do you want to achieve?Example: “The project goal is to increase employment of Indigenous People in Cool City by 20%. N: Narrow the ObjectivesThe Objectives are how you reach your goal. Typically grant applications do not want more than three objectives per year. However, this isn’t set in stone. Objectives need to be SMART — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timebound. So always ask yourself if your objectives meet each of these.Example: “By the end of year one, the Project will provide workforce training for 50% (1,000) Indigenous people in Cool City.”It is specific because it tells you what it will specifically do: i.e. workforce trainingIt is measurable because it identifies how many people it will serve: 1,000 Indigenous people.It is achievable because you are set up to provide workforce training and have partners with the target demographic.It is relevant because it relates back to the need (i.e. high unemployment rates) and the goal (increase in employment).It is timebound because you will serve 1,000 people by the end of year one.T: Timetable the ActivitiesOkay, let’s peel the onion back one more layer. The objectives allow you to reach your goal, but the activities allow you to reach your objectives. Under each objective you need to provide tangible activities, along with who is responsible for each activity and when they will get it down. Example: In order to meet our objective of “By the end of year one, the Project will provide workforce training for 50% (1,000) Indigenous people in Cool City,” you will want to have various activities. Activity 1) The program coordinator will sign MOUs with 10 partners in the community by the end of month two. Activity 2) The program coordinator will provide outreach and awareness of the workforce program by creating fliers, social media posts, and a website page for the project by the end of month two.You can see how activities can be happening simultaneously and get more into the nitty gritty of what needs to get done and utilizes an implementation plan.This also helps with the last point…S: Strategic BudgetA budget is essential for a grant application because you are, after all, asking for money. You need to describe how much you need for each activity or objective in rolling out the project. Having a well defined goal, objectives, and activities then allows you to know what a reasonable budget will be. You may think that you only need $5,000, but when you really flesh out your project you realize you actually need $50,000. Make sure that for each item you put in your budget you are able to quantify why you need it (i.e. how it relates to your project) and where you came up with the amount. Don’t guestimate!If you are asking for an item that is more than $5,000 then you will need to provide several quotes to showcase that is the price across the market. You may want to do this even for smaller items, such as computers. There you have it. The main parts of a grant in only 15 minutes. Get the FOAResearch your Needs & Target DemographicArticulate your GoalNarrow Your ObjectivesTimetable Your Activities and Create a Strategic BudgetABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030.  Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.  

Dr. Bev Browning is the person everyone knows in the grant writing world. She is the author of 43 grant-related publications, including six editions (over 1 million books sold) of Grant Writing For Dummies™. Dr. Browning shared with me that she first started writing grants back in the 1970s. She’s been doing this for half a century and tells all on how grant writing has changed and how you as a freelance consultant can keep up with all those changes and trends. About Dr. Beverly A. Browning:Dr. Beverly A. Browning has been consulting in the areas of grant writing, RFP responses, technical writing, and organizational development for over four decades.  She has assisted clients and workshop participants throughout the United States in receiving awards of more than $500 million.  Dr. Browning is the author of 43 grant-related publications, including six editions (over 1 million books sold) of Grant Writing For Dummies™ (Wiley.com). She is also an international trainer and keynote speaker.  In 2015, she was selected by the Centers for Disease Control NICRD division to conduct a five-day Grant Writing Boot Camp in South Africa for ministers of health and other top-level health directors from 23 African countries.Dr. Browning holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in Organizational Development, Public Administration, and Business Administration.  She has been a grant writing course developer and online facilitator for Cengage Learning (www.ed2go.com) for 17 years.  Her online courses (taught to thousands of students annually) are Advanced Proposal Writing, Becoming a Grant Writing Consultant, and A to Z Grant Writing: Part 2 – Beyond the Basics.Dr. Browning is Founder and Director of the Grant Writing Training Foundation and CEO for Bev Browning, LLC.  She was a 17-year member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) and has presented training workshops and keynote presentations for multiple GPA chapters U.S.-wide.  In 2017, Dr. Browning joined the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and was a workshop presenter at their 2018 International conference in New Orleans. She is an approved trainer for GPA and CFRE International.Dr. Browning has been married 53 years to John and has one daughter, Lara, a licensed therapist, and a special needs granddaughter, Aaliyah.Connect with Dr. Beverly:To find out more about Dr. Bev, check out http://bevbrowning.com/Or find her on LinkedIn where she facilitates a group at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevbrowning/OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

If you are tired of tracking grants in Excel sheets or jumping around on Google and constantly missing out on deadlines, then Instrumentl might be what you are looking for. I met Angela in November 2019 at the Grant Professionals Association annual conference. After she showed me some of what Instrumentl can do, I asked her to be on the podcast! Eek, it was like she was reading my grant writing mind of how I want grant research presented. But what really intrigued me is that Instrumentl is a women-owned business, developed by women who actually worked in the nonprofit arena and faced some of the same overwhelming issues in grant research as all of us changemakers. Then they coupled with (ahem) another woman in the tech industry to work grant research magic. Love it! Angela's Bio:Writing, winning & awarding grants for 14 yearsStarted as a grant writer/jill-of-all-trades at an environmental nonprofit after college and most recently at the Global Fund for Women in San Francisco.Lead Instrumentl building what she wishes she had when she was a fundraiser. When she’s not thinking about grants she’s either at yoga, on a hike or hanging out with her two calico rescue cats, Bella and Possum.Connect with Instrumentl:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Instrumentl/Twitter: https://twitter.com/beinstrumentlOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Have you ever wondered how your mindset around money is shaping your success?In this episode, Sean Croxton—an expert in money mindset—dives deep into how our beliefs about money are formed and how they influence our decisions, behaviors, and outcomes.Having followed Sean’s work for years, Holly shares how impactful his teachings have been—not just from a motivational standpoint, but from a practical, science-backed perspective.Sean breaks down money mindset in a way that’s not “woo-woo,” but grounded in how the brain actually works. We explore how past experiences shape your current financial beliefs, how those beliefs can either limit or expand your opportunities, and what it takes to start rewiring your thinking.This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and gets into the psychology behind behavior change—helping you understand why you think the way you do and how to shift it.If you’re ready to break through limiting beliefs and build a healthier, more empowered relationship with money, this episode is a must-listen.ABOUT OUR GUESTSean Croxton is a leading expert in personal development and money mindset, known for helping individuals transform their thinking to achieve greater success and fulfillment. He is the host of the top-ranked podcast Quote of the Day and has built a global audience through his work in health, wellness, and mindset coaching.Through his teachings, Sean combines science-backed principles with practical strategies to help people rewire limiting beliefs, improve habits, and create lasting change in both their personal and professional lives.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Get ready for 2020 with some strategic planning!

Hey Changemakers! It's our last episode of the decade so here's a mashup of our top 4 most listened to episodes including 2 great interviews! Happy New Year!

Grant Writing CertificationOne of the most common questions I hear is “Should I become a certified grant writer?” Well, the answer is different for everyone! That’s why we walk you through all the ins and outs of certification in this episode.“I may not write grant proposals or manage grant funds, but I want to make sure that grant professionals everywhere have the tools and resources so that they can make those impacts on their communities.” – Mike ChamberlainMike and I discuss:How Mike got involved with grants and became an entrepreneurGetting started as an independent contractor or freelancerDeveloping a business plan for yourselfDifferent tasks you can help a nonprofit withNetworking resources for grant writersTypes of grant writing certificationsShould you become a certified grant writer?How long it takes to become certifiedThe cost to become certifiedThe GPA community where you can find your tribeMike’s Bio:Mike Chamberlain is an association executive with over 30 years of leadership experience with for profit and not for profit organizations, including national and international associations.Mike grew up in Omaha Nebraska with his parents Al and Cindy Chamberlain and his two younger sisters. He enjoyed camping and other outdoor activities as a Boy Scout, ultimately earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Mike graduated from Creighton Prep High School and moved to Kansas City to attend Rockhurst University. At Rockhurst University, Mike earned an undergraduate degree in Marketing/Management and he met the love of his life, his wife Jackie. Mike and Jackie made their home in the Kansas City area after graduation. Jackie is a professional artist and a member of Summit Art in Lees Summit, Missouri.Mike enjoys all forms of exercise and is an age group triathlete with a dream of completing an IronMan® distance triathlon. Mike’s hobbies include woodworking, home improvement projects, being a Nebraska Football fan and reading.Mike and his wife Jackie share their home in Lees Summit with their dog Rifkin.Mike is a Certified Association Executive. He has been active in several local associations, serving on the boards of the Greater Kansas City Postal Customer Council, Kansas City Meetings Industry Council, and the Kansas City Society of Association Executives, serving as President of KCSAE in 2008-2009. He is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the American Society of Association Executives.Mike has been a speaker at the Professional Convention Management Association annual convention and at the American Society of Association Executives Annual Conference.Resources from this episode:GPA: https://www.grantprofessionals.orgGPCI: https://www.grantcredential.orgOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

If you think you don’t know enough to write a book—this episode will completely change your mind. As Honoree Corder says, “Turn the volume up on the voice of possibility.”In this inspiring conversation, we explore how writing a book can open doors you never imagined—from building authority to creating multiple income streams. Honoree shares her journey of writing (now 50+ books!) and how becoming a published author transformed her life and business. We dive into how books can lead to speaking opportunities, consulting clients, and long-term business growth.You’ll also learn about the different ways to generate income as an entrepreneur, including how writing can become a foundational asset in your business model.We cover practical tips for getting paid to speak, the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing, and how to start developing your business—even if you feel like you don’t have enough experience yet. If you’ve ever thought about writing a book or expanding your impact, this episode will show you what’s possible.ABOUT OUR GUESTHonoree Corder is a bestselling author, publishing strategist, and business coach who has written more than 50 books and helped countless entrepreneurs become published authors. She specializes in helping professionals turn their ideas into books that build authority, generate income, and create new opportunities for speaking, consulting, and business growth.Honoree is passionate about empowering others to share their message, expand their influence, and create multiple streams of income through writing and entrepreneurship.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Boris Hertslet joins us to break down two of the most essential (and often confusing) acronyms in federal grant funding—DUNS and SAM—and how to navigate them successfully. We walk through the first steps to accessing federal grants, including obtaining your EIN, understanding what a DUNS number is and why it matters, and how to properly register with SAM. Boris also shares common pitfalls to avoid, including scams (these registrations are always free), tips for annual renewals, and how organizations like Guam PTAC can provide free support and resources to help you through the process.ABOUT OUR GUESTBoris Hertslet is a procurement specialist with Guam PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center), where he helps businesses and nonprofits navigate government contracting and federal funding opportunities. With expertise in registrations like DUNS and SAM, Boris supports organizations in becoming eligible for federal funding and contracts by guiding them through compliance, setup, and ongoing requirements. He is passionate about connecting local organizations with free resources and tools to help them successfully access government opportunities.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.